For the past couple of years I’ve always participated in Raleigh’s Caribmask Carnival…as a spectator. If you’ve never heard of Caribmask it’s a beautiful weekend event to go to in August. The streets of downtown Raleigh are filled with vendors, soca music, and beautiful people dancing while dressed in vibrant costumes. It’s a lot of fun and I made the decision I was no longer going to watch on the sidelines.
After doing all the hard work to finding the mas band I was going to join, working out, etc., etc. , it was the big day!
The thought of performing in front of a group of people made me nervous. I did cheerleading and dance but walking around in a bikini just sounded crazy to me lol. You may be thinking, “Why did you do it?” Well I like to challenge myself. I know how it feels to be in fear but what does it feel like to just live in that moment? So I did it.
I felt kind of awkward at first walking to find my group before the parade started…probably because I felt so vulnerable and didn’t see anyone dressed like me at first. I had these big beautiful wings on my back as a part of my costume that I kept forgetting I was wearing until I realized I was slapping people with them as I walked smh.
Once I found my band I felt less awkward. There were women in all shapes and sizes just dancing , getting prepared to walk and I was there taking it all in. Eventually I got out of my feelings and started embracing the environment. It was sooo much fun! It may become a hobby of mine to do every year, that’s how much fun it was.
I hope sharing my introvert experience in the Caribbean festival will encourage you to go out and experience something new as well :-)!
IntrovertedFillings 